Cancer patients in India can now hope to counter the discomfort caused by chemotherapy with a new drug AKYNZEO.

AKYNZEO, developed by Helsinn, a Switzerland based company specialising in cancer drugs, can prevent CINV (chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting). According to a statement AKYNZEO, an oral fixed dose combination of netupitant 300mg and palonosetron 0.5mg, is a single capsule that acts on dual pathway and offers 5-day prophylaxis from both the acute and delayed phases of CINV. Patients would need to take only one capsule to get relief from CINV, the statement added.

Glenmark has exclusive marketing rights for AKYNZEO in India and Nepal under a licensing agreement with Helsinn AKYNZEO. Riccardo Braglia, Helsinn Group Vice Chairman and CEO, commented: “Patients in India and Nepal, can now have a new prophylactic option for patients suffering from chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting.”

“AKYNZEO is a convenient single-dose oral capsule for each chemotherapy cycle that covers both the acute and delayed phase of CINV, avoiding multiple drug antiemetic options and thereby improving patient compliance,” said Sujesh Vasudevan, President, India Formulations, Middle East and Africa at Glenmark.